Mobile piano tuning and repair
Visit homes, schools and studios to tune and fix pianos, and sell the odd restored piano on the side.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A travelling service that tunes pianos and does smaller repairs such as sticking keys, loose pedals and worn hammers. You can also pass on or sell second-hand pianos you come across.
Your first three steps
- Find a piano tuning course or an experienced tuner who will train or mentor you
- Buy a quality tuning kit and set a fee after checking local tuners' prices
- Contact local schools, music teachers and churches, and list yourself on local directories
Who pays
Households with a piano, music teachers, schools, churches, cafes and community halls.
How it makes money
A fixed fee per tune, hourly or quoted pricing for repairs, and repeat yearly tunings from regular clients. Occasional commission or profit from selling a piano.
Skills that help
- Good ear and patience
- Fine hand skills and mechanical sense
- Friendly, trustworthy customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and cover for tools and your vehicle
- Skill takes time to build, so practise on many pianos before charging full rates
- Check whether you need council approval if you run the business from home
- Register for an ABN and check when you must register for GST
- Do not move heavy pianos yourself, use a specialist removalist
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile piano tuning and repair
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a piano tuning business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the tools you buy, your vehicle setup and how much you spend on insurance and marketing. These are estimates, so build your own budget before you commit.
How much can a mobile piano tuner earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many clients you book and how many hours you work. Skill takes time to build, so practise on many pianos before charging full rates.
What should I check before starting a piano tuning business?
Check public liability insurance and cover for your tools and vehicle, whether you need council approval to run the business from home, and when to register for an ABN and GST. Use a specialist removalist for heavy pianos.
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